“Yeah, I know.” I really didn’t think about the next part, I just blurted it out. “What do you say, you come over to my place so we can talk? Hopefully I can ease your mind on a few things.”
She was quiet for a moment, and I thought she might say no. But after a second, she said, “Sure, I can be there.”
“I’ll pick you up,” I said. I hadn’t even touched my beer, and I wouldn’t. I wanted to make sure she didn’t have to lift a finger. I’d caused her enough problems, she didn’t need to worry about driving over to my place too.
I didn’t give her a chance to argue. I told her to be ready in twenty minutes, that I’d text her when I got there, and hung up.
When I went back inside, Jeremiah was already paying our tab.
“Sorry for calling you all this way for such a short visit.”
“No problem, man. You needed a boot to the ass, I gave it. Now you’re going to take care of your baby mama.”
Hearing those words - baby mama - caused me to cringe. But what was Felicity to me? We weren’t dating, she wasn’t my girlfriend. But she was the mother of my future children. There really needed to be a better word for it though.
I walked Jeremiah to his truck and we shook hands.
“Once life settles down some, let’s go hunting.”
A few days up in Jeremiah’s mountain cabin with beers and guns and just being outdoors sounded very nice. We rarely got anything, but I don’t think that was the point. Not really. Just walking around, connecting with the outdoors and getting an opportunity to shoot at things was all we needed sometimes.
We parted ways, and I drove straight to Felicity’s house.
As I walked up the path to her house, I had to keep telling myself to behave. The last time we’d spent time together alone at my house, I’d knocked her up. No funny business, nothing of that sort. Things were complicated enough as it was.
Except, when she opened the front door, I knew that it would be easier said than done.
She was still in her woolen sweater that showed off her swollen breasts and growing belly. Her leggings hugged her thighs, which were always nice and thick. Her hair was down around her shoulders, wavy from the braid earlier. Her hair was so long and beautiful, and I loved that she was wearing it down. I also noticed she wasn’t wearing any makeup.
In fact, her eyes were a bit red and swollen, like she’d been crying.
Dammit, Abe. How could you be so fucking stupid. She needed you, and you dropped the ball.
“I thought we could just talk here, if that’s okay?” she said, motioning for me to step inside.
“Sure, whatever is easiest for you,” I said.
Her home was nice and warm, there was a fire going. She had a giant, oversized couch that looked big enough for an entire family - and it looked cozy as hell. Everything about her place felt comfortable and safe, and I felt relaxed as soon as I stepped in the door.
Felicity motioned for me to follow her, and my gaze fell on her ass. I couldn’t help it; the pregnancy wasn’t even that far along yet and her curves were even more filled out than before. Considering she always had nice, womanly curves, it was hard to believe her getting curvier, but there it was. Right before my eyes. And God, I loved the view.
She took a seat on one end of the sofa; I sat a little away from her. There was no other seating in her place, the living room was fairly small and the sofa took up most of it. She pulled a throw from the back of the couch and covered herself up, hiding those delicious curves from my sight.
Probably for the best, I thought, trying to force the blood to flow north to my brain again.
“Well,” she said dryly. “What did you want to talk about?”
Felicity
I felt so vulnerable in that moment. I covered up as much as I could and would have covered up my head too if I could have gotten away with it. Abe was sitting there, inches from me, and wanted to talk about the pregnancy. He said he could ease some of my fears, but I don’t think he understood everything I was dealing with. Yes, I was nervous about the babies, but there was more than that. Hormones were doing a hell of a number on me, and I felt myself more drawn to him than usual.
I instantly regret agreeing to meet with him as I stared into those sweet, sincere eyes. He seemed at a loss for words, as did I.
Finally, he let out a sigh and started talking.
“I know it’s probably scary knowing you’re high risk, but I’m confident that everything will be okay, Felicity. We will take it easy, and I will take care of you - I will obviously be paying you more since we’d initially agreed on one child and--”
“You think this is all about money?” I scoffed. I wiped my eyes, hoping he didn’t see the tears. I stared into the fire, my insides feeling a lot like that. I was burning up from the inside. Was it anger or something else? I couldn’t be sure, there was just so many emotions swirling around inside of me, fighting to get out.
“Of course not,” Abe said. “But I want to make sure you’re taken care of regardless - both during and after the pregnancy. I know this means you’ll have to take off work sooner than expected, and I want to make sure you can take care of yourself and your business.”
“I appreciate that,” I said, still staring into the fire. Yes, maybe the money would help, but that was the least of my concerns at the moment.
“And, if you have any questions, I’m always here for you.”
I turned to meet his gaze. I did have questions, a lot of them. We were going to be meeting with a specialist in a few days, but that didn’t answer the concerns weighing on me that evening.
“What should I expect, Abe? Like, I’ve heard of people having twins, but I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who had triplets. Is it a lot like that, or what?”
“Well, first of all, you probably won’t be pregnant for the full forty weeks. Triplets are usually considered full-term around 35 weeks, and often delivered between 32-34 weeks. As you already know, you will have to stop working sooner. And I can pretty much guarantee that you will have to have a c-section.”
I nodded. Most of that was about what I expected. I didn’t know how early the babies would be born, and that concerned me. I rested my hand on my tummy. “Will they be okay, being born that early?”
Abe sighed, but didn’t answer right away. “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure of it. They may be small, but many multiples are born today and go on to live healthy, normal lives. We have the medical technology to make sure of it. And these babies are extra lucky, they have a doctor for a father. I will make sure you and they get the best care available, no matter what.”
His words soothed me, as I stared down at my hand resting on my belly. Sometimes it felt like I was alone through all of this, mainly because of the setup of our relationship, but that wasn’t exactly true. He was there, and he knew what he was doing - which was good, because I really had no idea what I’d signed up for when I agreed to do this.
“And, I have a proposition for you, Felicity.”
His words took me by surprise. I looked up and met his gaze. “What is it?”
“I’d like you to move in with me. That way, I can be there for you at all times, except when I’m at work - and even then, I’m just a phone call away. I can hire staff to watch over and--”
“No,” I said, looking away. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
I was already worried about falling in love with him and thinking we could be together. The last thing I needed was to play house during the pregnancy. To see the nurseries he was putting together, to be there when he came home every night. No, if we weren’t going to be together, I couldn’t do it. I had to look out for myself as well.
“You’re already only a call away. I don’t see why it would matter if I was there or here,” I added.
Abe sighed and threw his hand up to stop me. “Fine, I understand if you think that now, but the offer is open during the entire pregnancy. If at any time, you want to sta
y with me, so I can be there in case something goes wrong, just know you can.”
“I appreciate that.” As nice as it sounded, I knew my limits. “Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?”
I held my head up high and kept the tears from falling. I think I even appeared to be fine. I felt fine, at least then. The moods came and went. But I was glad I could at least put on a confident and calm facade for the moment.
“Is there anything you wanted to talk about?” Abe asked. “I mainly wanted to check on you.”
I shrugged. There was a lot on my mind, a lot of reasons I wasn’t fine, but nothing I felt comfortable confiding to Abe about. I wanted more than he was willing to give me, and I was afraid once these babies were born, I might not be able to hand them over. Except, I didn’t get the feeling that was negotiable. I just had to wait and see.
“I’m okay, I think,” I said. I pushed myself from the couch, the blanket falling to the floor. “And I think I’m getting pretty tired; I’d like to sleep now if that’s okay.”
“Oh, okay, sure,” Abe said, seemingly surprised by how quickly I was kicking him out.
We walked to the front door and I held it open, the cold, winter air bringing a chill to my otherwise warm and cozy home. Abe walked to the door but stopped right in front of me. He was so big and massive, towering over me. Some might think it was intimidating, but there was nothing scary about this man.
At least not to me.
“Felicity, I mean it. If you need anything, call me.”
I stared into his eyes and swallowed a lump forming in my throat.
God, I need so much from you, Abe, I thought to myself. But instead, I settled for “Thank you.”
Abe leaned down and I froze. His face closed in on mine, and I couldn’t breathe. What was he doing? Was he kissing me?
His lips brushed my cheek instead of my lips, and my knees went weak. I turned my head, and his lips met mine for a split second before I stepped backward, pressing against the door at my back. I closed my eyes to block out the tears.
“Please, don’t. We have to keep things from getting uncomplicated.”
“Yes, I’m sorry--”
“Just go, please.”
I heard his footsteps as he left my house and walked down the steps. I kept my eyes closed and remained frozen against the open door until I heard his car pull out of the driveway. Once it was safe to open my eyes, I did so, letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
Dammit, Abe. Stop playing with me.
Though it had started as a simple kiss on the cheek, it was my fault for turning my head, but he shouldn’t have gotten that close to kissing me anyway. There was no need for it.
Couldn’t he see that I was too fragile for even a kiss on the cheek? I guess not. My strong, confident facade really was working, I guess. Either that or he couldn’t resist.
Nah, don’t think like that, Felicity. It will only get you into trouble.
I closed the door behind me, grateful to be back in the warmth of my home. Of course, my bladder isn't what it used to be, pre-pregnancy, and I had to go again. I hurried to the bathroom, and my mind was still wrapped up in thoughts of Abe that I almost just flushed without a second thought.
But something caught my eye.
Blood. On the toilet paper.
Oh shit, I thought. Panic washed over me. I told myself that it was probably nothing, but that didn’t help calm me down.
What if it was something?
I pulled out my phone, and I considered calling Abe back to drive me to the hospital. He said he’d be there for me, no matter what.
But I couldn’t bear looking at him. Not right now. It would hurt too much.
I dialed Leah’s number instead.
Ooo000ooo
“Are you going to call him?” Leah asked, once we were in a room.
“I’ll call him if something goes wrong,” I said matter-of-factly. “Even the nurse said a little spotting is normal.”
“Was it just a little spotting?”
“I think so.” Honestly, I freaked out the moment I saw blood, I couldn’t be trusted to gauge what was a little blood and what was a lot.
Leah cocked her head to the side and studied me for a moment. “Why don’t you want to call him? Abe is a good guy, I’m sure he would--”
“Yes, I’m sure he’d be here in a heartbeat, and it wouldn’t be bothering him. But that’s not why I’m avoiding the call, Leah.”
“Then why are you?”
I let out a shaky breath and stared at the bright lights of the emergency room ceiling.
I didn’t even have to answer. Leah already knew what I was thinking.
“You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”
“I don’t think I’ve fallen too far yet,” I said, lying to both Leah and myself. “But I’d like some space, just to make sure I don’t get any crazy ideas in my head about us.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing between the two of you?”
“Please, don’t toy with those ideas, Leah. I can’t handle it right now.”
“Okay, sorry. I just see the way he looks at you. I think maybe there is--”
“Please, stop,” I said, holding up a hand. Tears welled in my eyes as I looked over at her. “He’s made it pretty clear that nothing can develop between us. I can’t think too much into the way he looks at me or how he treats me, I need to listen to his words and believe him.”
“You’re right, I guess,” Leah said with a sigh. She rubbed at her eyes. It was getting kind of late, and she seemed tired. We’d been waiting a while for the test results. Nothing ever seemed to move very fast in a hospital setting.
She was quiet for a long time, and I was just about to tell her it was fine to go home. I’d get another ride, call on another friend, but she spoke up first.
“You know, he deserves to know what’s going on. If they need to rush you in for a procedure or you need to make a choice, he should be here.”
She was right. I knew she was.
“I know it’s hard, Felicity,” she said, sitting up and taking my hand. “And I’m sorry. But you have to think about these babies, and they are half his. Any choices made tonight, he needs to be part of it. I can’t really speak for him, and neither can you.”
Tears slid down my cheeks, but I nodded.
I hoped there’d be nothing wrong, and I tried to tell myself it was nothing. But she was right. If they came in and said I had a choice to make, how could I do that without his input? These weren’t just my babies, it wasn’t just my job to protect him. And if I needed guidance, Leah could offer some kind thoughts or support, but Abe was a doctor. He’d know more and be able to weigh in on things that Leah couldn’t.
“Hand me my phone,” I said softly.
“Good girl. I’ll be here as long as you need me, he can wait in the waiting room if need be.”
I nodded and dialed Abe’s number. He answered, his voice groggy. He’d likely been asleep.
“Felicity? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I mean, I think so. But I’m not sure.” Suddenly the tears really began to fall, and I was sobbing so much, I could barely get the words out. “I’m at the hospital.”
That’s all I needed to say.
“I’ll be right there.”
Abe
“I’m here to see Felicity James.”
The nurse at the front desk types something into her computer. “And you are?”
“I’m Doctor Abel Hammond,” I said matter-of-factly.
“No, I mean, who are you in relation to the patient, sir?”
“I’m the father of the babies she’s carrying.” I wasn’t sure what else I could say to describe myself.
That seemed to shift something in the nurses’ mind. She stood up and I thought she was going to have me follow her back, but instead said, “Wait here.”
“Wait here?” I knew protocol, and I knew she was going to make sure it was alright with Felicity if I
came back, but I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to be back there, to make sure her and my babies were okay.
It felt like an eternity until the double doors leading to the back opened up. Except it wasn’t the nurse from before, it was Leah.
“They said she could only have one guest at a time back there,” Leah said.
The nurse came out right afterward. “Right this way.”
I was nearly running down the hallway, the only thing slowing me down was I didn’t know exactly which room she was in. I knew the hospital layout like the back of my hand, but I still had to follow the nurse to the exact room.
“She’s right in here--”
Before the nurse could finish, I swung open the door and entered Felicity’s room.
She was in the hospital bed, pale as the hospital gown she was wearing. Her eyes and nose were red from crying, and she still had wet streaks down her cheeks. My heart nearly broke in half seeing her like that.
“Are you okay?” I rushed to her side.
“I think so, yes,” she said, wiping at her cheeks. “They ran some tests, and I’m just waiting for the doctor to look over everything.”
Just then, a nurse entered the room. I swung around to face her. “Do we have the test results back yet?”
The nurse smiled sweetly. “Most of them, yes, but Dr. Lawton is looking everything over and will be in with some news shortly.”
“Can you at least tell us if the babies are okay?”
“I can’t, but Dr. Lawton will be in shortly.”
My fists were balled up at my sides. I knew there was nothing more than this nurse could do, but I still wanted answers, dammit. And I wanted them now.
“Can I speak to Dr. Lawton, please?”
“I believe Dr. Lawton is seeing another patient at the moment. But I will let him know you’d like to speak with him soon.”
I clenched my jaw tight. Again, I knew this nurse’s hands were tied, but I couldn’t control the tension growing in me.
The nurse moved past me and spoke to Felicity in a hushed voice. I couldn’t make out what they were saying at first, so I stepped closer.
Take a Mountain Man Home for Christmas: A Mountain Man Romance Christmas Collection Page 87